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SDI in the Great Plains​

Session 25. Uniformity in Microirrigation Systems

Water Use and Irrigation Control of Drip-Irrigated Sugar Cane

C. H. Batchelor and G. C. Soopramanien

Measurements of the crop growth and water use of drip-irrigated sugarcane were made during the two crop seasons of an irrigation-scheduling experiment. Three treatments of the trial were irrigated according to estimates of cane potential evaporation and effective rainfall, two treatments were irrigated according to soil water potential measured by index tensiometers, and the final treatment was a rainfed control. Although rainfall was marginally more effective and growth more uniform on tensiometer-controlled treatments, differences in yield and water use between the two scheduling methods were insignificant. Reduced water use at the beginning of the ratoon crop season as compared to the plant cane crop was attributed to reduced soil evaporation from subsurface driplines and the presence of crop residues at the soil surface. The relationship between mean monthly cane water use and stem growth was shown to be linear and independent of environmental and phenological factors. The results are discussed in terms of scheduling drip-irrigated sugarcane.

Keywords: Drip irrigation, Irrigation scheduling, Sugarcane, Microirrigation

Abstract taken from paper found on pages 717 to 722 in Proceedings of 5th International Microirrigation Congress, April 2-6, 1995, Orlando, Florida. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085-9659, USA. Phone: 616-429-0300 FAX: 616-429-3852 EMAIL: HQ@ASAE.ORG

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Microirrigation for Fruit Production in Chile

D. Z. Haman and L. G. Salgado

Chile is the major producer of fresh fruit in the Southern Hemisphere. The value of fresh fruit exported in 1992 from this country was $941 (US) million. The high quality of fruit required for export can be assured by precise water application through irrigation systems. Quality requirements and water limitation, especially in the northern part of the country, resulted in increased interest in microirrigation. According to the latest available statistics, 24,770 ha of fruit is microirrigated with 6,364 ha irrigated using microsprinklers and 20,536 ha irrigated by drip systems.

Keywords: drip/trickle irrigation, production agriculture, fruit production

Abstract taken from paper found on pages 723 to 728 in Proceedings of 5th International Microirrigation Congress, April 2-6, 1995, Orlando, Florida. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085-9659, USA. Phone: 616-429-0300 FAX: 616-429-3852 EMAIL: HQ@ASAE.ORG

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Application of Subsurface Irrigation on a Hop Plantation

Edward Pierzgalski

The results of a 4-year experiment on soil moisture control by subsurface irrigation are presented. Irrigation system consisted of the pipelines, 8 mm in diameter made of soft PVC. The depth and spacing of the laterals was estimated on the basis of laboratory research of hydraulic characteristics of the pipes as well as of modeling of soil water movement around the pipes. The results of field observations showed satisfactory operation of the irrigation devices and soil moisture control. No pipe damage was found during ploughing or hard frosts if the pipes were buried 35-45 cm below soil surface. Positive effect of subsurface irrigation on a plant yield were observed.

Keywords: Subsurface irrigation, Irrigation design, Soil moisture

Abstract taken from paper found on pages 729 to 734 in Proceedings of 5th International Microirrigation Congress, April 2-6, 1995, Orlando, Florida. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085-9659, USA. Phone: 616-429-0300 FAX: 616-429-3852 EMAIL: HQ@ASAE.ORG

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Adoption of Microirrigation Technology in Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum L.) on Vertisols in Semi Arid Climate

S. S. Magar

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops of Maharashtra State, covering an area of about 0.45 million hectares. The productivity of sugarcane is just about 80-83 t/ha since the last decade with the recovery of sugar at 10.5 percent. Optimization of soil moisture regimes under surface irrigation methods and seasonal availability fluctuations were identified as the major constraints for low productivity. The adoption of trickle irrigation in sugarcane was recommended to sugarcane growers with pair row planting with a distance of 0.75 - 1.50 x 0.30 m with 2.25 m distance between two lateral drip lines. Surface trickle irrigation systems with pressure compensating drippers (4 lph) and sand filters are very popular with the farmers. Drip irrigation systems have saved about 60% water and increased yield about 30% over traditional surface irrigation in addition to improvement in quality. The Net Irrigation Requirement (NIR) was estimated for January planted sugarcane at 16, 50 and 30 m3 per ha in winter, summer and rainy seasons respectively. A uniformity coefficient of 95 percent was achieved and helped to reduce deep percolation losses.

Keywords: Drip irrigation, Scheduling, Nitrogen application, Water use efficiency

Abstract taken from paper found on pages 735 to 739 in Proceedings of 5th International Microirrigation Congress, April 2-6, 1995, Orlando, Florida. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085-9659, USA. Phone: 616-429-0300 FAX: 616-429-3852 EMAIL: HQ@ASAE.ORG

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Present Status and Future of Microirrigation in India

Dr. R. K. Sivanappan

Microirrigation has emerged as an appropriate water-saving technique for wide-spaced, high value crops in water deficit, undulated, sandy and hilly areas of India. The drip irrigated area has been increased from 1000 ha in 1985 to 70,000 ha in 1994, covering more than twenty different crops.

This paper details results of research conducted at various research institutions, the problems and constraints experienced by farmers and the possibilities and potential for expanding drip irrigation in view of the water scarcity and increased demand for agricultural production. Studies conducted and information gathered from numerous farmers for various crops have indicated that this advanced method has many advantages. The benefit/cost ratio varies from 2 to 5 and the pay back period from 6 months to 1.5 years. It also discusses the areas and crops where this method can be adopted. This report also presents the thrust areas of future research, infrastructure requirements for implementing policy issues for future action programs so that the area of microirrigation will reach one million hectare within a decade in the country.

Keywords: Water scarcity, Microirrigation, Benefit cost analysis, Pay back period, Wide-spaced crop

Abstract taken from paper found on pages 740 to 744 in Proceedings of 5th International Microirrigation Congress, April 2-6, 1995, Orlando, Florida. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085-9659, USA. Phone: 616-429-0300 FAX: 616-429-3852 EMAIL: HQ@ASAE.ORG

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Microirrigation Effect on the Growth and Water Use of Tea (Camellia sinensis)

A. Anandacoomaraswamy

Water is the most important factor that limits the yield of tea during dry weather. To mitigate effect of soil moisture deficit, microirrigation frequencies at weekly and biweekly intervals were tested for mature tea. A simulation model was built for tea to simulate the effect of microirrigation on yield based on mass and energy balance. Model predictions of evapotranspiration and yield compared reasonably well with measured values. The evapotranspiration rate ranged from 4.1 mm/day for control to 5.8 mm/day for biweekly irrigated tea. The results of the study suggest both weekly and biweekly irrigations improved the yield over no irrigation.

Keywords: Evapotranspiration, Frequency, Microirrigation, Simulation, Made tea

Abstract taken from paper found on pages 745 to 749 in Proceedings of 5th International Microirrigation Congress, April 2-6, 1995, Orlando, Florida. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085-9659, USA. Phone: 616-429-0300 FAX: 616-429-3852 EMAIL: HQ@ASAE.ORG